Fears over the future of an orchard have been raised by campaigners amid a fresh plan to build homes on the edge of Yatton.

Persimmon Homes wants to build 69 houses in Moor Road where Yatton Rugby Club’s juniors used to play sport.

It believes its plan will help North Somerset Council to meet housing targets and feels the estate would be a ‘natural extension’ to the village.

In 2016, Persimmon made plans for 83 homes but it has scaled back its scheme.

No Moor Development’s Steve Bridger said: “The campaign to protect the Moor Road site from inappropriate development has entered a fourth year and we remain as determined as ever.

“The rehashed Persimmon proposals include executive homes in the orchard and an access road right across it, which council leader Nigel Ashton is on the record as saying would be ‘totally inappropriate’.”

Persimmon, in its design and access statement to the council, argues building a further 69 homes has merit.

It says: “The site lies outside the settlement boundary of Yatton, however it has the potential to act as a natural extension to the existing Yatton settlement and is in a very sustainable location.”

It goes on to state the ‘scale, size and character’ of the proposal is in keeping with the village and landscape.

Persimmon also says granting planning permission would help the council achieve its target of 20,985 homes being built in the district between 2006-26.

The green light has been given to more than 500 homes at North End in recent years.

Yatton Parish Council will debate the plan on Monday.

* To view the proposal or to comment, visit the council’s planning portal and search for 16/P/0888/F.